CH3010: Chemical Reaction Engineering, IIT Madras

Assignment 1
(Submission deadline-14 Aug 2020, 5 PM)
1. The exothermic reaction of stillbene (A) to form the economically important trospophene
(B) and methane (C),
𝐴 → 𝐵 + 𝐶
was carried out adiabatically and the following data recorded:

X 0 0.2 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.6 0.8 0.9

-rA 1.0 1.67 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 1.25 0.91
mol/(L.min)

The entering molar flow rate of A was 300 mol/min.

(a) What are the PFR and CSTR volumes necessary to achieve 40% conversion?
(b) Over what range of conversions would the CSTR and PFR reactor volumes be
identical?
(c) What is the maximum conversion that can be achieved in a 105L CSTR?
(d) What conversion can be achieved if a 72L PFR is followed in series by a 24L CSTR?
(e) What conversion can be achieved if a 24L CSTR is followed in a series by a 72L PFR?

2. The curve shown below is typical of a gas-solid catalytic exothermic reaction carried out
adiabatically.

𝐹!"
−𝑟′!
𝑘𝑔

𝑋
!!"
The curve can be approximated to "#!#
= 20 + 160(𝑋 − 0.5)$
For FA0 = 2 mol/s,
(a) Assuming that you have a fluidized CSTR and a PBR containing equal weights of
catalyst, how should they be arranged for this adiabatic reaction? Use the smallest
amount of catalyst weight to achieve 80% conversion of A.
(b) What is the catalyst weight necessary to achieve 80% conversion in a fluidized CSTR?
(c) What is the catalyst weight necessary to achieve 40% conversion in a fluidized CSTR?
(d) What is the catalyst weight necessary to achieve 80% conversion in a fluidized PBR?
(e) What is the catalyst weight necessary to achieve 40% conversion in a fluidized PBR?